Harbaugh said the incident couldn't have happened because he didn't leave Candlestick Park that day until after the Seahawks had already left.

"I can't think of a time when I've left the game and the other team's still been there this entire season," he said.

While this particular controversy might be contrived, what is not is the bitterness being built between these division rivals. The Seahawks -- feeling like they've had to live in the shadow of the 49ers hype -- have played with a chip on their shoulder all season, and gained a pyschological edge after Sunday's blowout.

Whether they meet again in the playoffs or we have to wait for next season's games, the acrimony between the Seahawks and 49ers will linger for a long time.